Last Chance Harvey was reviewed at the 2008 Starz Denver Film Festival, where 215 films were shown from November 13-23. This film, shown before its theatrical release, was billed as the Closing Night gala and shown November 22, 2008, at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
The Denver Film Festival didn't save its best for last ... as in Last Chance Harvey. And it didn't take much of a chance, either. Harvey is a production of Overture Films, which comes under the wing of Starz, which was the primary sponsor of the festival, which picked a pleasant but conventional way to go out.
This middle-of-the-road film for the middle ages could have been a snoozer of a loser if not for the two Academy Award-winning actors who performed together in 2006's Stranger Than Fiction.
Leading roles
Dustin Hoffman (Harvey Shine); Emma Thompson (Kate Walker).
Also appearing
Kathy Baker (Jean); James Brolin (Brian); Liane Balaban (Susan);
Eileen Atkins (Maggie Walker).
Director/screenwriter
Joel Hopkins (Jump Tomorrow).
What's it all about?
Harvey Shine (Hoffman) wanted to be jazz pianist but instead is on the verge of losing his job in New York as a composer of commercial jingles.
He's in London to attend his daughter's wedding, where his ex-wife (Baker) rents a house for everyone in the family to stay but him. He attends the rehearsal dinner in a rumpled suit that still includes the security tag. After many uncomfortable moments, his daughter Susan (Balaban) breaks the news that her dashing stepfather (Brolin) will be walking her down the aisle.
Kate Walker (Thompson) never followed through on her maternal instincts and has no one in her life other than a batty mother (Atkins) who rings her incessantly while worrying about the next-door neighbor who just might be an ax murderer.
She has a dull job as a census taker in the Heathrow Airport terminal asking harried and usually uncooperative travelers to stop and answer duller questions. Unknowingly set up by a co-worker on a blind date at a London pub, she has nothing in common with the younger man and ends up at home alone.
Their scenes are inter-cut but it's inevitable their lives will soon intertwine. It's just a matter of time.
He and she are two sad, lonely hearts and gentle people, the woman considerably younger (and taller) than the man, both aching from disappointment and seeking companionship, stability and true love. It takes two chance encounters at the airport before they finally connect.
After their meet cute, they wear matching trench coats, stay up late, take long walks in the park and along the River Thames that are a sightseer's delight, then cry on each other's shoulders while recounting the miserable times in their lives.
Will they find what they want in each other and become a cute and happy couple? Chances are ... you won't be too surprised by the formulaic outcome but will still be wowed by the performers who know how to act their age.
The poster claim It's about first loves, last chances and everything in between isn't entirely true.
Mile High Five or Dive?
Although the youngsters might relate to Edward Magorium from last year's Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (which played at the Denver Film Festival), this one definitely won't get the youth vote.
However, Hoffman, with acting chops still intact at the remarkable age of 71, proves he can still carry a picture, even one that requires the two leads to lug around all that emotional baggage. And he does it without the gimmicks attached to such roles as Rain Man and Tootsie.
His scenes with Thompson are believable, even if the circumstances of a forty-something woman hooking up with a soon-to-be-unemployed senior citizen aren't. He convincingly conveys the pain and embarrassment of an ostracized parent when Harvey explains how he fell out of a favor with his daughter. Thompson, the very proper and veddy British actress (Howards End) , isn't recognized enough for her comedic skills. (Did anyone see her riotous turn on Letterman earlier in November?)
But the predictable story line with a couple of obvious twists thrown in to create some much-needed tension keep it from leaving a lasting impression.